Energy crisis

Life sometimes can beat you down.

Sometimes life seems just one long series of troubles.

Sometimes we feel out of energy.

Today’s readings give us answers to our personal energy crises.

We begin with the Gospel (Luke 10:1-12), in which our Lord instructs seventy-two disciples before sending them out on their mission.

One key element of our Lord’s instruction is to travel light: “Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals…”

Many of us in this life do not travel light: possessions and emotional neediness weigh us down.

The lighter we travel through life, remaining faithful to our godly obligations, the more energy we will have.

And in the center of today’s first reading (Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10) we have this wonderful exhortation:

Rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!

Whenever we may feel beaten down, may we always seek the presence of the Lord in prayer, for in that presence there is undefeatable joy, and from that joy and God’s grace we will draw the strength to persevere – no matter what.